Shwe Bo
Shwe Bo can be reached by car or rail from Mandalay in less than four hours. It is famous for its glazed pottery works from toys, cups, bowls and pots as well as huge water jars. Hundreds of these jars are tied together to make rafts that are floated down the river. The place and other royal parks, lakes, moats and watchtower have been neglected, ravaged and ruined in the last two centuries. With the assistance of the tourism industry, the government has launched upon the reconstruction of the palace buildings and parks, and has dredged the royal lake for the benefit of the visitors and locals.
The Mya Theindan Pagoda was also built by King Alaung Hpaya in his deeds of merit. After one and a half centuries this pagoda was so dilapidated that in 1918 the famous Myanmar novelist James Hla Gyaw repaired, renovated and installed a new ornamental finial. On the demise of the donor, his ashes were interred in the walled enclosure at this pagoda.
The Shwe Tansar Pagoda is one of the oldest in Shwebo. The important aspect is a famous image of Buddha carved out of a very fragrant wood. It is called the Shwe Tazar, which means ornament of beatitude and the pagoda derives its name from this image. The image is so famous that Kings of Burma had vied for it and had taken it to different places.
The Shwe Theindaw Pagoda dates back to the Bagan Period. It derives its name from the venerable ordination hall where monks are ordained into the order. Its unusual feature is that it is enclosed within three walls. The outer two walls are in ruins due to dereliction but the innermost stone wall is well preserved. A visit to these ancient pagodas would be worthwhile.